Selective sPlenic flExure mobilization for low colorEctal anastomosis after D3 lYmph node dissection (SPEEDY) trial: a study protocol

摘要

To the Editor: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Since the concept of total mesorectal excision (TME) introduced by Heald et al[1] has become a gold standard of rectal cancer surgery, there has been a significant improvement in oncological outcomes including disease-free and overall survival. Although TME is the standard procedure for rectal cancer patients undergoing either low anterior resection (LAR) or abdominoperineal resection, the optimum strategy to restore bowel continuity between colon and rectum (in case of LAR) is still debated. There is no clear consensus of the best approach both in terms of anastomotic technique[2] (end-to-end or side-to-end) and in terms of vessel ligation (high tie or low tie ligation).